Book-binding machine



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.-

L. W. III'IELD.

BOOK BINDING MACHINE.

Patented Mar. 30, 1886.

WITNESS E5.

INVENTI] R N. PETERS. Puorpmhognpmr. wnhingmn, D. o

(No Model.) 4 sheets-'sheet 2; L. W. FIFIELD.

BooK BINDING MACHINE. N0. 338,726. PatentedlMar. 30, 1886.

"d d ,1, f

N4 PErEns. mmuuwgnpher. washington. u.c.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 (No Model.)

L. W. FIPIELD.

BooK BINDING MAGHINE.

WITN EEEEE (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4. L. W. FIIIELD.

BOOK BINDING MACHINE.

No. 338,726. Patented Mar. 30, 1886.

INVENTUR im: w, f

WJTN 5555 NITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

LEVI V. FIFIELD, OF VORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

BOOK-BINDING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 338,726, dated March30, 1886.

Application tiled September 1R, 1884. Serial No. 142,982. (No model Toall whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LEVI W. FIFIELD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Vorcester, in the county of Worcester and State ofMassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inBook-Binding Machines, and I declare the following to be a descriptionofmy said invention suiiiciently full,

clear, and exact to enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part of this speciiication.

The objects of my present invention are to provide means for deliveringfrom a spool or continuous coil abinding strand, wire, or cord andlaying the same longitudinally into the back of folded signatures of abook; also, to provide means for passing a series of needles through thebacks of the signatures for carrying the holding-bands beneath saidlongitudinal binding-strands, and for securing the several signaturestogether, and to afford facilities for retaining the strand at properintervals, and for severing it at positions desired. I attain theseobjects by mechanism the nature, construction, and operation of whichare illustrated in the drawings, and explained in the followingdescription, the particular sub- 30 ject-matter claimed beinghereinafter definitely specified.

In the drawings, Figure l is avertical section, and Fig. 2 a front view,of a machine embracing the features of my invention. Fig. 3 is a frontview of the devices for delivering and laying the longitudinalbinding-strands, and the devices for supporting the signatures,

- shown separate from other portions of the mechanism, and on somewhatlarger scale. Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the cylinder andplate shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a sectional view,on larger scale,illustrating the manner of laying the binding-strands into thesignatures, and showing the points of the needles for passing thetransverse bands or cords through the backs of the signatures. Fig. 6

is a front View of a gripping device for holding the extended strand atthe angles of the carrier-plate.

5o same.

Fig. 7 is a plan View, of the Fig. 8 is a front view, showing the punchand chisel rods for pressing down and cutting off the longitudinalbindii'ig-strands,

and the devices for operating the same. Fig. 9 is a vertical section ofthe same a-tline X X. Fig. l() shows the manner in which a wire strandmay be laid longitudinally into the signatures and bent at intervalscorresponding with the nicks or cuts for the bands. Fig. 10 shows themanner in which a wire or cord strand may be laid into the fold withoutthe bends at the nicks. Fig. 1l is a back view of the book. showing theseries of signatures as passed onto the transverse needles. is a frontview,illustrating a modified construction of the strand-carrier, thesignature-bed, and the gripping mechanism. Fig. 13 is a side view of thestrand-carrier devices similar t0 Fig. 12, and Fig. 14 is asectionalView showing a modified construction of signature-supporter andneedle-brace.

In referring to the drawings, the parts marked A represent the frame,which may be of any suitable form to properly support the operatingmechanism.

B indicates a bed or cylinder for receiving and supporting the foldedsignatures while being operated upon.

C denotes the revoluble strand-carrier or device for feeding and placingthe thread, wire, or binding-strand w longitudinally within the fold ofthe signature, and D indicates the needles for receiving the series ofsignatures and for drawing the transverse bands or tapes b through thenicks n beneath the binding-strands w. The strand-carrier C is made witha number of straight sides or divisions corresponding in length to thedimensions required for extending portions of the bindingstrand w thelength of the signatures, and is provided at its several angles withsuitable grippers or spring-jaws, c, for holding the said strandsextended in a direct line along the side or edge of the carrier. Thebindingstrand w may be of fine wire, linen cord, or other suitablematerial, and is taken from a spool or continuous coil, WV, and led ontothe carrier C through a suitable guide, w', and tension device, so as tobe taken by the several grippers as they are respectively brought intoposition by the revolution of the carrier C, as

Fig. 12`

IOO

indicated, the strand being thus wound onto the carrier at oneside asfast as it is used off at the other side. In the present instance thestrand-carrier C is made as a rectangular plate. If preferred, it couldbe made pentagonal, hcxagonah'triangular, or ot' other polygonal form,the length of its l sides being in each case such as required combinedtherewith for imparting an intermittent rotative action thereto, andalso a latch-dog or means for confining it at the several positions ofadjustment with its sides parallel to the bed or cylinder B. Thecylinder B is provided with longitudinal grooves e to receive the backof the signatures, and a series of fingers, B', extend outward from saidgrooves in a manner to form a V-shaped guide or cradle for receiving thefolded signatures S. Annular grooves d are formed around the cylinder,in which lie the points of the needlesl I). VThe cylinder B is mountedfor rotative action in bearings E', that are movable on guides A', sothat the cylinder B and strandcarrier C can be brought into contact witheach other. The bearings E' have connection with the reciprocating tableE. which latter is operated toward and from the carrier C by means ofconnections G, cranks or cams G', and operating-shafts H H', or othersuitable mechanism for effecting equivalent advancing and recedingaction of the bed B. AThe needles D are supported in connection with thetable E, so as to follow the action of the cylinder B. Said needles Dare provided with eyes, into which the cords or bands b are rove, so asto be drawn into the notches n as the needles are g pulled through thesame when removing the book therefrom. Suitable springs, ff, arearranged beneath the bearings E to give yielding action as the cylindermeets the carrier C.'

K indicates a gear fitted upon the cylinder B, with a ratchet and pawl,and meshing with a rack, L, ou the standard L. When the cylinderis movedupward, the pawl slips and the gear turns without revolving thecylinder, but

when the cylinder descends the pawl engages and the cylinder is given ahalf-revolution, reversing the position of the fingers B' and bringingthe opposite set of ngers into working position. A latch or spring-stop,Z, is provided in connection with one of the bearings E', for retainingthe cylinder at positions of adjustment. 1

. I I indicate cutters for severing the wireor strand w when properlylaid into the folds of the signatures, and J J indicate punches forbending wire strands w outward at the nicks or spaces n in the back ofthe signature. These punches J are not essential to the practicaloperation of the machine, and can in ordinary cases be omitted, but forworking the particular kind of binding described in Patent No. 286, 254saidl punches are desirable, and may be used. The form and action of thepunches J and cutters I are similar, one being blunt and the othersharp. They are severally mounted for' reciprocative movement ininclined grooves on the frame, at the front of the carrier-plate, and sothat their ends will pass down into line with the edge of said plate,suitable recesses, i, being formed therein, as indicated. The cutters Iare moved up and down by a cam-rod, m, which is fixed t0 the slide-plateM, that works back and forth on ar Y l suitable guideway ou the head ofthe machine, motion being imparted thereto by a band attached to thewheels M' and to the plate M. The parts are actuated by the crank androd m2 and tumbler mi, which latter is engaged and forced upward, whenthe cylinder is elevated, by a stud, m, that projects from'a portion'ofthe movable cylindersupporting frame. A piece of rawhide, N, or othersuitable material, may be arranged on the cylinder, against which theedge of the chisel or cutter I operates for severing the strand. Thecam-rod m runs in a'iiotch at the upper end of the cutter-shank, asindicated in Figs. 8 and 9. The cutters are pressedback into theirgrooves by the springplate o, and an offset, p, on the back of the bars,serves, Aby striking on the frame, to th row their lower end outwardclear of the carrierplate C when said bars I and J are raised, so thatthe carrier can be revolved without interfering therewith.

Bvindicates a lever fulcrumed at 1', one arm of which is provided with aspring-link, R',

having at its end a lug or pin that latches into the openings t in theplate C. One side y of this pin is beveled ol` so that it will slip fromthe opening twhen the link moves back, the parts acting in the manner ofa ratchet.v The opposite arm of the lever R is engaged by` a suitablecatch on the moving bearing E', so as to eect the intermittent rotationof the strand-carrier C, to bring its several sides 'consecutively intoposition to receive the strand w and tolay it into'the folds of therespective kno signatures as the latter are brought into place by thecylinder or bed VB.

'I indicates a spring-finger for bending theend ofthe wire 'w away fromthe corner of the plate C, and T' denotes a point or prong arranged toenter between the jaws c, for discharging the portion of the strand wwhich is cut off and left within said jaws. The prong T' opens the jawswhen the latter are brought in contact therewith by the rotation of theplate C.

On the driving-shaft H' is a friction-clutch pulley,U, for thedriving-belt, and in connec` tion therewith is a treadle device, V, for'.throwing it into and out of action, and a trip` dog and leveroperatingwith the crankfshaft H, for throwing oi the clutch when the shaft H hasmade one revolution.

rIhe operation of my improved machine is as follows: The signatures S,after they are folded and prepared with the notches a, are laid upon thebed or cylinder B, between the rows of fingers B, one at a time, andwith the fold or back toward the bed, as indicated in Fig. 4, thenotches a being placed so as to correspond in position with the annulargrooves d, and the line of the fold being parallel with the longitudinalgroove e, while the leaves lie open from the fold in V shape and restagainst the sides of the cradle. The placing of the signatures may befacilitated by a suitable guide attached to the bed and against whichthe heads of the signatures are placed. Vhen the signature is in place,the attendant depresses the treadle to throw the clutch into action withthe driving-pulley, and as the machine is started the bed or cylinder Band the strand-carrier (l are, by the action of suitable mechanism,brought together, in the manner of a press, so that the edge ofthecarrier-plate, with the extended strand w, presses the signature intothe groove e, and delivers the strand w closely into the fold throughoutthe length thereof. As the bed approaches the Strand carrier, the studm'L comes in contact with and raises the tumbler m3 and rod m2, thusoperating the wheels h and slide M, causing the cam-rod m to actuate thecutters I, which latter are forced down upon the strand w and severit ateach end, so that the `portion laid into the f'old is freed from thecarrier and remains lying longitudinally in the signature after themechanism recedes. rlhe punches J, when employed, are also forced downin the same manner as the cutters I, and press the strand w through thenicks a. Vith the receding action ofthe bed-cylinder the ratchet ofthegear K engages, and said gear causes the cylinder to turn one-halfrevolution. This carries the back of the signature toward the needlesD,the points ofwhich lie in the grooves d, and as the cylinder turnsover the needlepoints pass through the nicks a above the strand w, andthe signature is transferred from the cylinder to the needles, andslides back out of the way of the fingers B, which are ready to receivethe next signature. During the time of the above action the hook engagesthe lever R, and by swinging said lever effects, through the aid of thelatching-arm R', the partial rotation ofthe strand-carrier C, to bringanother of its sides, with a new portion of extended strand w, intoposition to receive the next movement of the bed and signature. At therotation of the carrier the gripping devices are brought into actionwith the opening devices, and the short piece of strand material cut offand left in the grip-jaws is discharged therefrom, so that the grippersare ready to again receive the strand when brought up to the line wheresaid strand is wound onto the carrier. Vhen the desired number ofsignatures has been passed onto the needles D, the bands b are threadedinto the eyes of the needles D, and as the book is removed from theneedles the bands are drawn into the notches u, beneath the strands wacross the back. The ends of the strands w may be turned back over theends ofthe signatures and be glued down upon thc back, or said ends canbe otherwise disposed of, as desired.

The machine can be employed with either wire, linen twine, or othermaterial for the strand w.

The modification illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13 is to show thestrand-carrier C capable of adjustment. In this modification thecarrier-Gis made with a series of arms radiating from a centralrevoluble shaft or aXis, C', and upon said arms the gripper-s c are adjustabl y attached in such manner that they can be moved to or from thecenter C, for increasing or diminishing the extent of side or span.

The grippers c can be made, as indicated, with V-shaped jaws for holdingthe strand, and with springs c4 for discharging the end of the strandtherefrom when said spring is brought into contact with the arm C5 asthe carrier G revolves.

Set-screw sl may be arranged for clamping the .grippers in place uponthe arms.

A presser or grooved follower, C, in separate piece from thestrand-carrier may be arranged for forcing down the strand into the foldof the signatures, said follower being operated by action of themechanism as the bed B is moved up tothe carrier C, or vice versa, thearm e coming in contact with the arm e5 of the follower.

The bed B may be reciprocative to and from the carrier by crank-shaftand connecting-link, in similar manner to that of Fig. 2, or by anyconvenient mechanism.

The modifications also show a bed for supporting the signatures, whichis not revoluble, for transferring the signatures to the transverseneedles D, but in which said needles are projected forward through thenicks a above the strands w, the parts being disposed, as in Fig. 14,wherein B* indicates a bar for supporting the needles D,whieh bar may bemoved forward and back by any suitable mechanism, as desired, to carrythe points of' the needles through the backs of the signatures, and thesignatures being then allowed to pass back on the needles by the raisingof the rear side of the cradle or si gnature-snp porting device, whichcan be effected by mechanism connected to the arms to operate as the beddescends. This lifting mechanism is not herein shown, as it isunimportant what form of mechanism is employed therefor.

The needles can be curved about the bedcylinder, as indicated in dottedline of D2, Fig. 5, so that the signature will be delivered at the otherside of' the bed, if desired.

Vhat I claim as of my invention, to be herein secured by Letters Patent,is-

l. rlhe combination of the revoluble strandcarrier with a series ofgripping devices, substantially as described, for receiving thebinding-strand from a continuous coil or spool, and

IIC)

for holding portions thereof extended for delivery to the fold of thesignatures, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.

2. Arevoluble strand-carrier having a plurality of grooved sides forsupporting a binding-strand as extended for delivery, and provided withaseries of grippers for holding said strand at the angles of saidcarrier, in combisignatures, and provided with a series of transfversely-arranged grooves, of a series of bandcarrying needles havingtheir points arranged in said grooves for receiving the signatures andcollecting them into books, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.

5. A rotative cylinder, as B, provided with annular grooves d,longitudinal grooves e, and projecting ngers B,for supporting thesignatures, in combination with the strand-carrier C and transverseneedles D, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. The combination, hereinbefore described, of the revolublestrand-carrier having gripping devices for retaininga Wire or cordthereon, the reciprocating bed or cylinder having guards or fingers forsupporting signatures, actuating mechanism, substantiallyv as described,for advancing and receding the bed to and from the strand-carrier, andfor intermittently rotating said carrier and cutters for `severing thebinding-strand, for the purposes set forth.

7. The combination,with the strand-carrier Gand rotative cylinder B,having guards or l fingers B/ at opposite sides thereof, of thereciprocating support-bearings E. ratchet-.connected gear K, rack L,catch device B2, and carrier-actuating devices, substantiallyas'described, whereby change of position of'said carrier andbed-cylinder is effected, for the purposes set forth.

8. The combination, with the strand-carrier C and bed-cylinder B, ofthecutters I and punches J, substantially as and for the purposes setforth. v

9. The combination of the strand-carrier C, the bed B, the cutters I,the cam-rod m, the slide-plate M, the sheaves M', carryingabandconnected with said plate, and means, substantially as described, kforeffecting partial rotation of said sheaves, substantially as set forth.

10. A grip-opener, as T', in combination with the rotativestrand-carrier and gripping devices c, for the purpose set forth. I

Witness my hand this 2d day of August, A. D. 1884.

LEVI W. FIFIELD.

Witnesses:

GHAs. H. BURLEIGH, S. B. BARTON.

